Moistening device.



No. 817,105. PATENTED APR. 3,1906. J. H. DE NIKE.

MOISTBNING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1905.

vwem for.

y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFG.

IVIOISTENING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1906.

Application filed .Tune 22,1905. Serial No. 266,491.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH I-I. DE NIKE, a

` citizen of the United States, residing at Ali. moistening devices.

The object of the invention is to mount a moistener on a standin such manner that it can be readily and conveniently turned to operative position.

I have found it desirable to have a moistener located so that it may be inverted for lifting an envelop to contact with it or positioned at an angle, the moistener proper being upwardly or downwardly inclined to meet various re uirements found desirable in using a device o this character.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to and the structural details specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device, the moistener being turned face down. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the moistener turned face up. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing in full lines the moistener tilted upwardly and in dotted lines downwardly. Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing the cover a plied.

The same numera s refer to like parts in all the figures.

l indicates a base; 2, a standard extending upwardly therefrom, the upper end of the standard being bent to form an overhanging support 3, which is provided with a set-screw 4. A cup 5, formed with an opening, is ad.- justably secured to the support 3, and it carries a sponge 6L The width of the box is greater than the Width of the opening to form a means for holdinfr the sponge in position, as will be readily understood. Other material may be used as a means for supporting moisture, and I desire to reserve this right. The cup 5 may be formed with a cover 8, hinged at 9 and having a latch 10. The cover will retain the moisture and can readily be disconnected at the hinge-joint, if desired. The set-screw 4 passes through an opening in the side of the cup and receives a nut, orit may be headed and the nut placed on the opposite end.

In operation water is placed in the cup, and the sponge absorbs it in the usual inanner. When folding an envelop, usually the gummed iiap is up, and to moisten it with the herein-described improvement it is only necessary to lift it up against the moistened sponge, as shown in Fig. yl. The overhanging support furnishes ample space for the necessary handling of the envelop. When moistening the flap in this manner, considerable time is saved, as it is not necessary to turn it over and handle it to accomplishthe desired result, as now practiced. This facilitates speed as well as saves considerable expense in sealing a large number of envelops, which is an important element.

There are other conditions where it is advisable to have the moistening-surface up, as shown in Fig. 2. To do this, the screw is released and the cup is turned and fastened. Then, again, it may be desirable `to incline the moistener to adapt the device for moistening a particular gummed surface. The invention is designed to accommodate this condition, as shown in Fig. 3.

By the described construction I have provided a moistenerwhich may be relatively positi oned to accommodate the numerous varying conditions essential in a device of this character, the cup being capable of ready and convenient adjustment by manipulating the set-screw.

What I claim as new is l. A moistener comprising a support, a moistener cup having a moistening-surface on the support, and means for radially turning the cup to alter the operative position of the moistening-surface.

2. A moistener comprising an overhanging support mounted on a base, a moistener and means for turning the moistener to alter the operative position of the moistening-surface independently of the base.

3. A` moistener comprising a support, a moistening-cup having a moistening-surface at the outer end of the support, and a setscrew securing the cu to the support, the set-screw permitting of the cup being turned po change the position of the moistening-surace. i

4. A moistener cup having a moisteningsurface extending downwardly from the cup, means supporting the cup, and means between the support and the cup, whereby the operative moistening-surface may be turned upwardly to retain the moisture.

5. A moistener comprising a base, a standard extending from the base, said standard being bent at its top to form an overhang- IOO IOS

IIO

ing support, a moistening-cup adjustably secured to the overhanging support, and means xing the position oi' the cup after it is adjusted.

6. A moistening-cup having a moisteningsurface, a cover for the moistener surface when the latter is not in use to. preserve the moisture, a support and means whereby the position of the cup may be adjusted to alter lie operativer position of the moistening-sur ace.

" 7'.` Ajmoistener comprising a support, a

moistener'carried by the support, and means vvhere'by the position ofthe operative surface of lthe moistener may be changed Without moving the support.

'8. A moistener comprising an inverted mpistening-surface With means for supplying moisture, a support, vmeans for inclining the moistening-suriace at an angle to the support, and means forfholding the moistener in its altered position.

9. A moistener comprising a base, a moistener having an exposed operative moistening-surface, adapted to be turned to alter the position of the exposed surface, and means for fastening the moistener in position after it has been turned.

10. A moistener adjustable to position it at varying angles above and below a horizontal plane, and means for holding the moistener after it is adjusted.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOSEPH H. DE NIKE.

Witnesses:

HOWARD HOTALING, JOHN C.v BAUER. 

